We wake up in Paris and look out across the roofs to La Défence, the major business district 3 km west of the city limits, in the distance and descend to the street where the cherry trees are blossoming.
Across the roofs, on the street
We walk down the street to the Arc de Triomphe in the center of the huge road junction, Place de l'Etoile, the meeting point of twelve avenues.
Arc de Triomphe
We can see the Effel Tower in the distance and head down the boulevard in that direcction.
Heading toward the Eiffel Tower
As we approach the Seine, we pass through the Jardins de Trocadéro, just opening up for the day.
Jardins de Trocadéro
The Eiffel Tower gets larger and soon we are at the Trocadéro, just across the Seine from the monument.
Getting closer
Trocadéro
We cross the Seine, turn left and walk along the river back toward the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, first passing a memorial to those who died in combat in Algeria, Maroc, and Tunesia.
Crossing the Seine, looking back at Trocadéro
Walking along the Seine, passing the memorial
Continuing along the Seine
Crossing back over the Seine, we spot the roof of the Grand Palais exhibition hall, then come across the statue Flamme de la Liberté, a replica of the flame carried by the Statue of Liberty in New York and an unofficial memorial to Princess Diana, who died under this bridge at Pont d'Alba. In 2019, the site was officially named Place Diana.
Grand Palais in the distance, Tour Eiffel the other way
Flamme de la Liberté in Place Diana
Walking back to the Champs Elysses, we find the Louis Vuitton store decorated with fabulous flowers.
Windows at Louis Vuitton
And, to our delight, the Champs Elysses is a pedestrian zone today, closed to vehicular traffic.
No cars!
Our train is leaving soon and it is time to return to the hotel and hop on the Metro to Gare de Lyon for the next step in our journey.
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